Estimación de la erosión hídrica en la cuenca del río Cravo Sur mediante el empleo de Sistemas de Información Geográfica (ArcGIS Pro–ESRI®)

Abstract

In this research project, an estimate of the annual soil losses due to potential (EHP) and effective (EHE) water erosion (expressed in t/ha/year) in the Cravo Sur River watershed was made. It is intended to answer the following questions: How much is the annual loss of soil due to potential and effective water erosion in the Cravo Sur River watershed? And, what is the distribution or zoning of the degree of water erosion in the watershed under study? Said estimation was made based on the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) using Geographic Information Systems (ArcGIS Pro–ESRI®). At first, the calculation of the rain erosivity factor (R), soil erodibility (K), relief (LS) and vegetation cover (C) was made and then, using raster algebra, calculated the EHP and EHE. As a result, the key role played by vegetation cover in soil protection against the phenomenon of erosion is highlighted, since the EHP (without vegetation cover) in the severe to catastrophic category would add 55,141 hectares affected (10.6% of the basin area) while the EHE (with vegetation cover) in the same range would cover 1,685 hectares (0.3% of the total area of the basin). Identifying and quantifying those areas that are most susceptible or vulnerable to water erosion is necessary to prioritize intervention actions that mitigate and counteract the acceleration and increase of the phenomenon.